Derbyshire County Council have parking details/links for the county on their web site.
Amber Valley
On 29th September 2006, Amber Valley Borough Council provided a list of the council's current car parks (updated 28 March 2008 - see below), detailing where barriers are installed, together with electronic copies of leaflets on each of the four town centres in the borough. These can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format by clicking on the following links: 1. Car Park List, 2. Alfreton leaflet, 3. Belper leaflet, 4. Heanor leaflet, 5. Ripley leaflet.
The council also provided the following information:
1. The list specifies which of the car parks have a height restriction.
2. I have been informed that whilst cars are required to park within a bay, if the size of a motorhome caused it to overhang a bay, the purchase of two tickets would prevent a fine being imposed.
3. There are public conveniences located in the Town Centres which close at 7pm daily. There are no waste disposal points on any of the car parks.
4. There are no parking bays specifically provided for motorhomes or caravans in any of the Council owned car parks.
5. There are no restrictions as such on overnight parking in the car parks but due to the lack of facilities they would not be suitable for overnight stays.
6. The Council does not hold any ‘recorded information’ regarding narrow access restrictions.
On 28 March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council provided the following information:
I am able to provide you with the same response as previously (information listed under 1 to 5 above) but please note that a weight restriction applies to car parks (vehicles not exceeding 1525kg) plus there is no sleeping/camping or cooking at any time. This is part of the car park order.
Amber Valley Borough Council have further details on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Ripley
I live in Ripley, Derbyshire and was looking at Car Park Info. I drove a Hi- top in and around Ripley for a few years. The best car park for easy access is the Co-op car park, off Derby Road. There is a charge but unlike the majority of Amber Valley car parks there is no height barrier. The parking bays are of a good length too. We now have a 6.5mtr coachbuilt which parks happily in the above and also in Sainsbury's car park off Nottingham Road. (Thanks to PC for this information, received on 2 May 2007).
Bolsover
On 27th September 2006 Bolsover District Council provided the following information:
There are four Bolsover District Council owned car parks with height restrictions - Elmton Road, Creswell; Church Drive, Shirebrook; Victoria Street, Pinxton and Outgang Lane, Pleasley Vale.
Bolsover District Council owned parking areas are free of charge, so no tickets are required.
We do not have any waste disposal or toilet facilities at car parks specifically aimed at people with motorhomes.
We do not have any provision for overnight parking.
I can advise you that Bolsover District Council owned car parking areas are designed for cars, small vans and motorbikes. The bays are sized to accommodate these and disability vehicles.
The car parks are not designed to provide overnight parking or to provide facilities to stay overnight.
We have no written information with regard to access issues, although I can inform you that the car parks in the district are small and well used, i.e. they are busy for much of the time.
We can only comment on Council owned car parks as this is the only information we hold.
On 2 April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the information above was still current.
Bolsover District Council have further details on their web site Here.
Chesterfield
On 27th September 2006 Chesterfield Borough Council provided the following information:
Chesterfield Borough council has no facilities for Motor homes within its Pay and Display car parks although we have never had occasions where they have caused a problem because by and large they have parked with due care and attention.
On 28th September 2006 the Council answered the specific questions asked as follows:
1. Height restrictions. Only at Multi-storey car parks.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear). Required to park within the bay markings.
3. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. No HGV. No overnight at multi-storey`s.
4. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. None.
On 25th March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the following information was received during a friendly phone conversation with an officer of the council:
Whilst the council has no specific provision for motorhomes they will help where possible. The car park at Ashgate Road is probably best as it has no marked bays. In other car parks (Holywell Cross, Rose Hill and Soresby Street) vehicles must be parked completely within a bay but there are bays where the vehicle can be parked so that its rear overhangs a path or grass. If possible ring the help line (number on the web site - see below) in advance of your visit. Soresby Street is barrier controlled but not by a height barrier. Please do not use coach bays without permission of the council. All of the car parks mentioned are shown on the car park map on the council's web site (see below).
Chesterfield Borough Council have further details on their web site Here.
Derby
On 22nd September 2006 Derby City Council provided a copy of their 2 page car park leaflet. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format by clicking on these links Page 1 and Page 2.
The council also provided the following information:
We advise the best place for a motor home to park in Derby, is the Cattle Market on Meadow Lane (see map on attached PDF files). The Cattle Market has available parking for HGV’s, so it’s considered the most suitable place for motor homes as well. Motor homes are not permitted to park here indefinitely.
There is no height restriction for the Cattle Market, and overnight parking is available. Toilets and bins are provided, but there is no tipping. There is a public house nearby, which has keys to a shower block and they also provide food.
Other good places to park could be the Meteor Centre and Pride Park where there is a Park and Ride alternative. For more information on these please refer to the attached PDF file.
Also, on-street parking is another place to consider, but vehicles are not allowed to occupy more than one bay. Parking in two or more bays is an offence and could attract a Penalty Charge Notice. Please see the PDF files for more information regarding on-street parking.
On our other car parks mentioned on the PDF files, again the motor home must fit within one bay, and parking over 2 bays could attract a Penalty Charge Notice. Paying for 2 tickets to occupy 2 bays is still not acceptable. Tickets must be displayed for the duration of the stay. The cost of parking is shown on the PDF file (correct as at 22 September 2006).
Height Restriction on our surface car parks are as follows: Abbey Street - 2.1m; Darwin Place - 2.5m; Drewry Lane - 2.1m; Little City - 2.1m; Liversage Street - 2.1m; Sacheveral Street - 2.1m; Wilmot Street - 2.1m.
None of the above car parks have toilets facilities or have any provision suitable at motor homes or caravans. All the car parks do have bins and provision for overnight parking, providing the appropriate fee is paid.
Motorhomes are not advised to park in any of our multi-storey or park safe car parks.
Penalty Charge Notices cost £60.
Derby City Council have further details on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
A bit of local knowledge about Derby. Despite the council suggesting the Meteor Centre (where I work) it does have height barriers at the two entrances to the main car park. These are 2.4 metres. However, they regularly get demolished! As I write (25/6/07) the one at the southern end vanished a couple of weeks ago, and the very substantial structure at the northern end was uprooted, concrete bases and all, last week! So at present there are no height restrictions! If they do reappear, a common overnighting spot for lorries is on the service road at the southern end. Enter off Mansfield Road with the Odeon cinema on your left, go straight on at the roundabout and park alongside Focus. A quiet corner at night but you have a pub that does food and a cinema with an Indian restaurant within a 30 second walk. Park and ride operates from outside the pub, but finishes at 6pm. Technically private land with public access, but I've never heard of anyone being challenged. (Thanks to RC for providing this information on 25 March 2007).
Derbyshire Dales
On 3rd November 2006 Derbyshire Dales District Council provided a spreadsheet of parking information. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format by clicking Here.
The council also provided the following information:
Whilst I have not yet had an opportunity to fully assess each site and the implications of attempting to manoeuvre larger recreational vehicles to and around them, I can offer that information which I currently have to hand.
First of all, I attach a summary spreadsheet of our car parks and can advise you that, technically, large motorhomes fall outside of the class of vehicles permitted to park. This Council, like many others, imposes a weight limit of 1500kg (30cwt) unladen on vehicles using the facilities, with specific exclusion from the restriction for coaches in certain locations. The purpose of this limit is to enable the Authority to prohibit the use of the site for the daily parking or overnight storage of larger commercial vehicles, all of which would fall in to the excluded category by weight. However, whilst motorhomes, motor caravans and many large 4x4 vehicles also now fall into this category, we do exercise discretion in allowing entry, where (a) it is clear that the vehicle is intended for private use; (b) the vehicle can negotiate any height restriction that is in place; and (c) it can be accommodated in a normal marked bay (on those car parks where bays are clearly defined). This leads to the first two items on your request for information.
Height restriction barriers. We currently have height barriers at 3 of our car parks, limiting entry to vehicles below 2.2m maximum height. Naturally, this excludes both the larger wheelbase motorhomes and those smaller high-sided motor caravans that would otherwise fit into a marked bay.
Requirements for parking within bay confines. As stated above, restrictions on the weight limit for vehicles will be relaxed if the vehicle can be accommodated in a standard bay (where ground markings are in place). All of our bays are set out to standard dimensions of 2.4m X 4.8m, which will allow motor caravans constructed on small commercial vehicle chasses to park. With regard to those private vehicles which are larger than a standard parking space, the Council exercises discretion for parking only on the following unmarked sites:
* Matlock Station (free at present but subject to future development works)
* Matlock Bath Station - upper unmarked level (adjacent to coach parking area)
* Matlock Bath Station overspill
* Monsal Head - long stay car park (to rear of Monsal Head Hotel)
* Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell (but very limited parking on livestock sales days, Mondays and Thursdays weekly)
Given that the Derbyshire Dales is a popular area for tourists, the Council does not condone the use of reserved coach bays by any vehicle other than a coach or large minibus.
Provision of Toilets and Waste Disposal Points. A number of our car parks are sited adjacent or near to public toilets. These are marked on the attached spreadsheet. None, however, are equipped with waste disposal points.
Provision of Spaces aimed at Motorhomes and Caravans. The Council does not have specific provision for either although, as stated earlier, we will exercise discretion at sites which are unmarked, provided that the vehicle or combination does not cause obstruction.
Provision or Ban on Overnight Parking. Whilst overnight parking is allowed on most of our car parks, camping is not. Vehicles may be left overnight, but only if unattended. Sleeping within the vehicle is prohibited.
The reason that overnight parking is allowed by the Council is so that the many guest houses and public houses providing overnight accommodation, but which are unable to provide parking for their clientele, may direct vehicle owners to alternative nearby facilities. Similarly, many homes within the Dales do not have off road parking (although we do provide each household with a free parking pass which allows for parking after 4pm and up to 11am on our car parks).
The reason why overnight camping is prohibited, on the other hand, is that there are numerous licensed camping and caravan sites throughout the Derbyshire Dales and we do not wish to condone the use of our public car parks by travellers seeking alternative low cost accommodation, be that overnight or longer term.
Restricted Access caused by narrow roads. We do not hold data of this type and until a comprehensive survey can be undertaken, I am not able to offer a response.
Derbyshire Dales District Council have further details on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Ashbourne
1) Ashbourne (Derbyshire Dales district) is not motorhome friendly. The smaller car parks were too restrictive to manoeuvre our coachbuilt and the big Shaws Croft car park serves a supermarket as well and was packed on a Saturday afternoon, but would probably be the best bet mid week, if we were prepared to pay for two spaces.
BUT we did find free parking in Ashbourne (weekend only):- On Mayfield Road, the road towards Leek from the main shopping area, about half a mile after St Oswalds Parish Church there is a small industrial estate on the left, just after Atlas Garage. On Saturday afternoon all the units were closed up, with no barrier or prohibitive notices, leaving a large empty car park with just a few cars, presumably shoppers. It's a 15 minute walk back to the town centre. We also saw a smaller coachbuilt parked at the roadside along here. (Thanks to DW for providing this information on 16 February 2008).
2) We have just returned from Ashbourne in Derbyshire and parked at the leisure centre car park. Spoke to the local authority car park attendant who happened to be checking tickets etc. He was quite clear that the 1500 kg unladen weight did not apply to 'leisure vehicles' and that provided you paid for the bay(s) used there was no problem. Do NOT however, park in the coach bays as you will get a ticket. (Thanks to PG for providing this information on 28 March 2008).
Brierlow Bar
For an interesting coffee/loo stop in this area there is a large rural discount book warehouse at Brierlow Bar, where the A515 joins the B5053 and A5270. Beware, though, if you love books, particularly local interest / travel / walking books, you will spend longer than intended there! A large car park, easy access, we used the overflow car park and had it to ourselves. (Thanks to DW for providing this information on 16 February 2008).
Carsington Water
1) We have made tea in the car park at Carsington Water reservoir, although I don't know that we were supposed to. I never saw any signs saying we shouldn't. Carsington has a vistors centre with loos. (Thanks to AP for providing this information on 25 March 2007).
2) We collect our new 22ft motor home tomorrow. In anticipation of this I phoned Carsington Water, owned by Severn Trent, in Derbyshire to ask about suitable parking. The reception were very helpful, there are two suitable car parks, one at the main visitors centre where there is a dedicated coach park, charges do apply (although she advised its best to phone ahead for availability). There is a second situated on the same side of the road a little further along, (on the right if approaching from Ashbourne), which is free but a mile away from the main facilities. (Thanks to LA for providing this information on 8 June 2007).
Tissington and High Peak Trails
The Tissington and High Peak Trails are popular with walkers and cyclists, being linear paths on the old railway routes. There are several places along the A515 Buxton - Ashbourne road where the Trails (and a wide network of adjoining footpaths) can be joined. We stopped at a couple - Parsley Hay and Alsop Station, and found them both easily accessible for our coachbuilt. The A515 itself has several large laybys from which walkers could find suitable footpaths. (Thanks to DW for providing this information on 16 February 2008).
Wirksworth
Just a word of warning to anyone attempting to use the car park at The Dale, Wirksworth, Derbyshire. It is accessed by an extremely (barely a car width) narrow lane and I would not recommend it even though it is on the Derbyshire Dales spreadsheet. Whenever I have attempted to use it in my work day for car parking it is usually filled with residents vehicles anyway. (Thanks to J for providing this information on 2 June 2007).
Erewash
On 3rd October 2006 Erewash Borough Council provided the following information:
1. Height Restrictions – There are no height restrictions.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines – There are parking restrictions. If a vehicle overhangs another bay, then a ticket does need to be purchased for both bays.
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities – No provisions.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans – No provisions.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking – No overnight parking provisions.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances - No restrictions.
The council provided hard copy tables of the numbers of spaces in each car park and location maps but these are not appropriate for scanning to load to this web site.
Erewash Borough Council have further details on their web site Here.
High Peak
On 18th October 2006 High Peak Borough Council stated:
Within the Council owned car parks we have no capacity for the parking of motorhomes. All of the spaces provided are standard car size only (except where we allow coach parking). In addition a number of car parks have height restriction barriers, there is a weight restriction of 1525kg unladed weight in all of our car parks and our 'Off Street Parking Places' Order requires users to park within marked bays only.
Knowing that the Market Place car park had been used by coaches in the past I sent a follow-up question to the council - "Would High Peak BC object to motorhomes parking for similar short times (a couple of hours for shopping, say) always assuming of course that appropriate charges were paid?".
The council's response was "There is no parking for coaches in the Glossop Market Place. The only place for coaches these days is on Bernard Street. It is 'on street' so not covered by ourselves but the highway authority who are Derbyshire County Council.. There is a significant amount of 'on street' unrestricted parking in Glossop and although motorhomes can be quite large drivers would be unlucky not to find somewhere available."
Update 26 March 2007:
Some time after the initial replies from HPBC above it came to my notice that many other vehicles (e.g. large 4x4s) weigh in excess of 1525 Kg (some of the largest 4x4s even being heavier than many motorhomes. A further request for information was sent to HPBC as follows:
"Could you please supply me with a copy of the information distributed to your car parking attendants to enable them to judge whether or not a particular vehicle should be issued with a PCN for exceeding the weight limit.
In addition, could you please tell me:
1. How many vehicles were issued with PCNs for exceeding the weight limit within the latest calendar year or financial year (whichever is most convenient for you) for which you have records.
2. How many PCNs were issued for all reasons in the same period.
In regard to the statement "our 'Off Street Parking Places' Order requires users to park within marked bays only", does this mean that the whole of the vehicle must be within the marked lines of the bay or that parts of the vehicle body may overhang the lines so long as all its wheels are within the lines?"
The council's welcome response, received on 26 March 2007, was:
In response to your four specific questions I can advise you as follows:-
1. We do not issue any written instructions to our attendants regarding vehicles exceeding the weight limit. We take a pragmatic approach to the Off Street Parking Order. If a vehicle has an appropriate ticket displayed and is parked sensibly within the car park it will not attract an excess charge notice.
2. We issued no excess charge notices for vehicles that may have exceeded the weight limit in 2005/06.
3. We issued 2,107 excess charge notices overall in 2005/06.
4. We take a similar pragmatic approach as in 1 above in relation to cars being parked in marked bays. We expect them to be parked sensibly so as not to cause an obstruction to other car park users. Therefore any vehicle parked in a space should be parked in such a way as to enable other vehicles to park either side.
We believe this approach is a reasonable one and it does not appear to create problems. We do want people to visit our towns and use our car parks. We do not necessarily enforce as strictly as we could but the power is there if we should choose.
High Peak Borough Council have parking details on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Chatsworth
We have made tea in the car park of Chatsworth House, although I don't know that we were supposed to. I never saw any signs saying we shouldn't. I think there are facilities at Chatsworth but not near the car park we were using. However, this was close to Christmas so it was mostly shut up. (Thanks to AP for providing this information on 25 March 2007).
Glossop
July 2006. Market Place car park by the Municipal Buildings - no height restrictions. Mills Yard car park, Victoria Street - no height restrictions. Bernard Street/Edward Street car park, Victoria Street - no height restrictions.
See information from High Peak BC above re parking restrictions.
N.B. (1) Take care in attempting to reach Bernard Street from the north (e.g. via North Road or Fauvel Road) as there is a low railway bridge (10 foot) on Arundel Street. (Thanks to Crazylady for checking that out for me)
N.B. (2) 24th March 2007. Checked the bays on Bernard Street and they are marked Buses and Coaches Only.
Tesco store off the A57 High Street West - no height restrictions.
Click here for a sketch map of Glossop.
Whaley Bridge
I have a Tribute. I was in Whaley Bridge on Saturday and parked on the only car park available, a rough but adequate park called Canal Wharf Car Park. Mainly empty but carrying the sign "The Parking of Lorries and Camper Vans is Prohibited." A couple of young men, locals, were in fact mending their ancient camper van on the car park! I have rung the council in Buxton but got little joy. Why camper vans I wonder yet no mention of cars plus caravans. What sad people in so beautiful an area. (Thanks to KS for providing this information on 9 July 2007).
North East Derbyshire
On 27th September 2006 North East Derbyshire District Council provided the following information:
North East Derbyshire District Council operate a parking order on all of its car parks that states all vehicles mush be parked within a marked bay or will be liable to a fixed penalty notice. The order also states ‘No person shall use any part of a parking place or any vehicle left in a parking place as a dwelling or for any domestic or sanitary purpose in particular: for sleeping or camping purposes, for eating or cooking purposes, or for the purpose of servicing or washing any vehicle or part thereof other than is responsibly necessary to enable that vehicle to depart from the parking place.’
North East Derbyshire District Council does not currently charge for parking in any of its car parks.
Height restriction barriers are located on: Eyre Street and Eldon Street, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
North East Derbyshire District Council have further details on their web site Here.
South Derbyshire
On 29th September 2006 South Derbyshire District Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions. Information is on the council's web site (see link below).
2. Requirements for parking within bay defines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear). Information is on the council's web site (see link below).
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. No chemical waste disposal points.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans. No.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. No.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. None, apart from height barrier.
South Derbyshire District Council have further details on their web site Here.
On 25th April, 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information: "I confirm that the information given in your previous request remains the same but assure you that any changes are reflected in our website. However, I would point out that none of the car parks provided by South Derbyshire District Council have been designed for safe use by motorhomes."
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Hatton
1) Co-op Supermarket; Longitude 01 40 57 W; Latitude 52 51 52 N; Approach from Station Rd
(Thanks to AL for providing this information on 11 September 2007).
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Last updated: 8 May 2008